Monday, May 31, 2010

Day 261: Memorial Day

One of my favorite community events is the Memorial Day parade.  It's only about 5 minutes long.  The local high school band, local vets, Civil War guys (always!) and then the decorated bicycles.  A big mob of kids on bikes, decorated with patriotic bunting, balloons, and streamers.  Next year Julia was have learned to ride her bike well enough to enter, and she's already preparing for it!  As a Canadian, the whole red-white-and blue, rah-rah-rah is a bit foreign, but I've learned to love the 4th--and this little Memorial Day celebration.  They're such community events.  There's an old guy who sits at the corner and watches the parade--and has since the parade's inception umpteen years ago.  All the firemen all shout "HEY PAT!" to him. After the parade, everyone gathers at the cemetery for a short but moving ceremony.  And cookies and juice.  Neighbours meet and chat and the kids race around on their bikes or play on the grass. 

It's interesting the juxtaposition of party-picnic and solemn remembrance.  All in all, a really nice day.

We're off now to get gardening stakes for the beans.  They should have been planted ages ago.  Ah well--what can you do?

Here are some of my favorite photos from this morning:









To those who have paid the ultimate price for their county?  There are no words to describe our gratitude.

Thank you, as well, to all members of the armed forces, past and present, for your service and sacrifice. 

Now go slap some burgers on a barbeque and eat yourself silly.  You deserve it.
Lynn

2 comments:

;) said...

Your photos are a real tribute to this day and those who paid !

jane said...

your images are breathtaking... i get the emotion...